News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-04-14

> if, far away in the darkness, there loom
ed something dimly white and ghostly
like the wrath of passing ship. Bu
the fancy faded as quickly as it hat
come, and once more she resumed he
silent musing.
Slowly the time dragged by, but the
moment came at last when Ailsa sprane
to her feet, with smothered cry. There
could be no mistake this time Out il
the darkness there flashed for an instant
a tiny flame of blue light. It was
smothered almost before the girl had
seen it, but she seemed to slide swiftly
down the steps and towards the beach.
Her pulses were beating tumultuously,
and she knew it was with Joy, yet she
kept repeating to herself, "Oh, how could
he be SO recklessl How [ wish he had
not come tonight"
The garden sloped down to the beach,
and it was but moments walk to the
waters edge But short as was the time
required boat had grated upon the
beach before Ailsa could arrive there,
and even as she paused, irresolute upon
the verge of the last descent, dark
form sprung swiftly up to where she
stood, and rapturous voice exclaimed,
In tones suppressed but full of tender
ness:
"Ailsa, Ailsa, my own dear lassie! we
have met once more.
Ailsa gave him both her hands, but a
greeting such as this would not do for
this impetuous lover. His arm went
round her waist, and he drew her dear
little golden head close against his
breast, tenderly stroking the soft silken
hair and kissing again and again the
warm cheek that was turned toward him
/ so shyly.
''Ailsa, my darling little Ailsa," he
murmured gently, 81 have so longed to
see you. But have you no word OF vel
come for me, dear?"
Indeed, am glad to seeyou, Allan"
she answered, smiling up into his face
in the starlight. ''But it was reckless
in you to come after my signal. I
thought you would not dare to venture"
The young man laughed softly.
''Darel" he said. 'NOw l do wonder
what that unciviized old Highlander of
an uncle of yours would attempt to do
if fell into his clutches? He couldn't
do worse than dismember me, could he ?
And the man who wouldn't risk being
quartered for the sake of your bright
eyes, dearest, is no true lover.
''But Allan" persisted the girl, ''you
really are in peril tonight, and I meant
more than caution when I showed the
signal this afternoon. Uncle has notified
the coast guards and they are all on the
watch for you tonight.
SIS it possible2 To what importance
/ [ seem to have riseni Faith, and who
knows but that poor Allan Gordon may
1 be the subject of an international com
plication yet. Won't that be an honorl
But don't start away, nor tremble so,
my own little Ailsa. There's nothing to
fear just now, surely"
"Dear Allan, I'm so sorry, but you
really must go. can't be easy while
you are here. Only think, we are before
uncle's very door"
eff you had the least bit of common
politeness, Ailsa, you'd invite me into |
the parlor. And I'd CO.. too, and stay /
till heard old Duncan dhu Macfarlane |
Mohr coming up the steps. There,
there, darling, don't pOut, and won't
joke any more. But I'll tell you what
we will do. Come into the boat with
me, and we'll move out rod or two.
| There's just the least ripple of a swell,
and we can talk as long as we please,
with no one to disturb us. Come, dar-
ling"
@What, before your sailors? Allan,
how can you ask me3
'Not sailor there, Ailsa-only VIII,
my brother. You've met the boy already,
and he loves YOU only less than [ do
myself. Come, lassie. -
Ailsa suffered herself to be persuaded,
and a moment later Allan lifted her into
/ the boat. A dark figure rose up from
I @e w oil Na1 hn1,
! hand. and then the two brothers silent
ly rowed the boat half dozen lengths
/ from the shore. Then Allan handed his
oar to his brother, saying:
"Keep her steady, VIII, with her head
| to the swell for just five minutes. I've
| a little matter of very important bust
ness that want to talk over with Ailsa.
| But as he rose to change his seat VIII
pushed him back and thrust his oar
again into his hands, whispering, excit-
edly:
''Look, lookl The boats Can they
be after us p
An instant's glance showed Allan two
rowboats, dimly visible in the darkness,
and swiftly approaching them along the
shore. The foremost had already reached
such position that it would be impOs-
sible to gain the beach without coming
in collision with it. Moreover, it was
evident that the crews of both had dis
covered the Gordons' boat, and that they
intended to cut off his escape. What
was to be donel
Ailsa wrung her hands. ooh, what
have done2" she whispered in anguish.
"Allan, Allan will be disgraced for
ever!"
''That you shall not, Ailsa, my dar-
/ ling" answered Allan. ''But calm
yourself dearest, and trust to me. There
is only one way. Put in your best work
now, Will. Out to the sloop !"
The two young men bent to their
oars, and the light craft shot over the
water at speed which it soon become
evident their pursuers could not equal.
/ Nevertheless the latter kept ON and did
not fall far behind.
/ A few moments of rapid rowing, and
the fugitives' boat swept alongside a
broad-beamed slOop, which lay at an
chor-gently rising and falling with the
swell.
Allan had swung himself on board in
an instant
'Lift her up, Will" he said "Steady
now, Ailsa, my darling; never fear that
I'll let you fall. Here you are. Climb
aboard, Will, and let the boat drop
under the stern. All sail, boys. I'm
glad to see you looking alive. Cut the
cable and let the anchor go-what's a
bit of iron more or less2 Be lively,
lads, lively now, if you'd serve Allan
Gordon I"
The crew of the sloop, three stalwart
strong-Embed young sailors, seemed to
need no urging. Like lightning the
broad sheets of canvas rose in the air,
swelling out, balloon-like, before the
fresh breeze. The blow of a keen-edged
hatchet severed the cable in an instant,
and the sloop at once began to gather
way. But now the pursuing boats were
near at hand, and from the foremost
came stern voice, saying:
sIower your sails and let US come on
board. 1 command you in the name of
the law.
Allan Gordon, whom the light of the
ships lamp now showed to be a stall
wart. brOad-shouldered youth, with
laughing brown eyes and clustering
chestnut hair, smiled as he heard the
command, but, without making any an
swer, turned to lead Ailsa to the hatch
way. But now there came another
sterner hail.
"Do you hear what 1 say2 Lay by
We are armed and will fire if you do
not obey"
Poor Ailsa, who had not bargained
for anything like this, trembled with
terror, and at this Allan's GOODNESS at
| once fOrsOOk him.